IVF — General Information › In Vitro Maturation (IVM)
In Vitro Maturation (IVM)
This page is provided for general information. IVF treatment is not carried out at this practice; it is provided only in assisted reproduction (ART) centres licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
In vitro maturation collects immature eggs without high-dose stimulation of the ovaries and matures them in the laboratory. It does not replace conventional IVF but is an option in particular circumstances.
Who it may be considered for
- Women with polycystic ovary syndrome at risk of overstimulation
- Those who have previously had ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Patients needing urgent fertility preservation before treatment for a hormone-sensitive cancer
- Situations in which high-dose hormone treatment is inadvisable
Advantages of the method
- Little or no medication is used
- The risk of hyperstimulation syndrome is almost eliminated
- The treatment period is shorter
- Drug costs are markedly lower
- It can be carried out quickly before cancer treatment
Its limits — an honest framing
IVM generally results in lower pregnancy rates than conventional IVF and is not offered in every centre; it requires specific laboratory expertise.
It cannot therefore be presented as "better because it avoids medication". The group of suitable candidates is narrow and the decision rests on the individual's medical situation.
How the decision is made
Ovarian reserve, features of PCOS, response to previous treatment and any oncological urgency are assessed together. Treatment is carried out only in a licensed assisted reproduction centre.
